Laura Schmitt: MAFHOF Class of 2009

As Laura Starrett, she was one of the top runners in Marin while at Redwood High (Class of '82). She was the cross country and track and field team captain as both a junior and senior, distinguishing herself on both teams with selection to the all-MCAL team both years. In cross country, she helped Redwood place third in the NorCal championships in 1981. On the track, she set the school record, which still stands, in the 3,200 meters. Additionally, she swam with the Redwood varsity as a freshman and sophomore, helping the school set the MCAL 4x100 record.

Since graduation, Schmitt has remained a fixture in Marin running circles both as a coach and athlete. She was on the cross country and track teams at Cal, competing in the NCAA cross country championships in 1983. She now is the cross country and track and field coach at Redwood, where her teams have 15 MCAL championships between them, and continues to show her own running talents. She was a national masters cross country champion in 2007 and Grand Prix road racing short course masters champion in 2008.

Schmitt - a 2009 inductee into the Redwood High School Hall of Fame - also passed along her athletic genes to her children. Jake Schmitt is a senior at the University of Washington, where he is the team's top runner, and Meagan Schmitt is a junior at Cal, where she is a defensive specialist on one of the nation's top collegiate volleyball teams. Additionally, Caitlin Schmitt is a Redwood senior who runs for her coach/mom.

Noted Carl Cox, who nominated Laura Schmitt for the Marin hall of fame, "Laura has been one of the premier women long distance athletes in Marin County since graduating from his school. She has a great r sum ."